Since the late 1990s, the dedicated people behind MarAlliance have been leading efforts to safeguard endangered species and critical habitats through marine research, with local fishers at the forefront. The focus: understanding and protecting marine megafauna— the ocean’s gentle giants like sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Through monthly monitoring expeditions, these fisher-conservationists help gather crucial data that inform marine protection policies.
The organization now works with over 30 fisher partners, many of whom have become conservation leaders in their own communities.
In one inspiring case, a seasoned fisherman joined the program and introduced his son, who has since become a core team member. Supported by MarAlliance, the young fisher is pursuing further education while continuing his conservation work. He also recruited a friend, extending the ripple effect of conservation education within his own community.
“Watching these guys go from fishers to leaders within their communities is one of our greatest achievements,” says Kirah Forman, Belize National Coordinator of MarAlliance. “It’s an incredibly proud moment for us to see them grow.”
As climate change adds new challenges to marine conservation efforts, the value of long-term monitoring becomes even more apparent. Temperature changes and their impacts on marine life can only be understood through consistent observation over time.
The disappearance of whale sharks from their usual feeding grounds around Gladden Spit Marine Reserve serves as a stark warning. “We know whale sharks aren’t in Gladden Spit anymore, which was a huge tourism income generator for local communities,” Forman says. “But the bigger question is: Why? And what does their disappearance tell us about the health of our ocean?”
Through a BZ$652,342 grant from the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future (Belize Fund), MarAlliance continues its vital research. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” Forman says. “With species that live in the slow lane — those that don’t reproduce or grow quickly — you often need more than ten years to understand trends. But many donors want quick results.”
MarAlliance’s vision extends beyond data collection to practical application. “If this research isn’t informing policy, then it wouldn’t make sense,” Forman says. “Our mission is rewilding the ocean. We want to see more sharks, more fish, more turtles, more biodiversity.”
As this work continues — monitoring, understanding, and protecting the marine ecosystems that sustain both wildlife and communities, one question remains: Will we commit to supporting marine conservation needed to ensure the survival of these species before it’s too late?
By Chalsey Gill Anthony, communications officer, Belize Fund (abridged)
